Nissan Armada

The Car Connection Nissan Armada Overview

The Nissan Armada is the largest SUV in the Japanese automaker's lineup. Redesigned for the 2017 model year, it now rides on the platform from its Infiniti QX80 stablemate and uses the sheet metal from the global Patrol SUV. The first-generation Armada used the chassis from the first-generation Titan full-size pickup. The Armada can seat up to eight and tow as much as 8,500 pounds.

The 2017 Nissan Armada is basically a U.S. version of the global Nissan Patrol SUV with a frame adopted from the Infiniti QX80. It retains its body-on-frame design and its eight-passenger seating, but gets new styling and new engineering, plus additional safety features.

The new Armada rides a wheelbase that is 2.1 inches shorter than the outgoing model, yet it is 1.2 inches longer, 0.6 inch wider, and it sits 2.2 inches lower. Under the hood it features the new 5.6-liter Endurance V-8 making 390 horsepower (up from 385) and 394 pound-feet of torque (from 317). Compared to the outgoing 5.6, this engine features direct injection and Nissan's Variable Valve Event and Lift, which has variable valve timing and variable valve lift for both the intake and exhaust sides. It is mated to a new 7-speed automatic transmission (instead of a 5-speed) with downshift rev matching. The engine improvements and extra gears improve fuel economy, but this is still one thirsty SUV.

Rear- and four-wheel drive are offered once again. The four-wheel-drive system has low-range gearing and can send 50 percent of the torque to the front wheels when it detects slip. Properly outfitted, the 2017 Nissan Armada can tow up to 8,500 pounds.

The styling features a bold, chromed version of Nissan's "V Motion" grille. LED headlights and daytime running lights are standard, and fog lights are standard on higher line models. The taillights are also LEDs. Functional air intakes are located in the front fenders, and all four fenders have contrasting paint on the wheel flares. The overall look is macho, though it also adopts some of the soft, organic shapes of the Infiniti QX80.

Nissan moves the interior upmarket with materials that look good and feel substantial, even if the wood trim is really plastic. The acoustic glass windshield and front windows, and additional sound deadening material give the interior what Nissan calls "library levels" of interior noise, making normal conversation easy. Space is excellent in the first two rows, but the third-row seat is quite tight. Cargo space, however, is plentiful.

A stiffer frame gives the new Armada more controlled driving dynamics, but this big beast still leans in turns and suffers from slow steering. The ride is quite smooth, though, and the improved V-8 cuts the 0 to 60 mph time to the mid-6-second range while emitting great sounds.

When it first hit the market in for the 2004 model year, this 'ute was called the Pathfinder Armada, referencing Nissan's mid-size SUV. In years since, it has become known simply as Armada, while the smaller Pathfinder has moved to a car-based platform.

Since launch, all Armadas have been powered by a 5.6-liter V-8 engine. The first generation made 317 horsepower and was paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and a choice of either rear- or four-wheel drive. The Armada has always aimed to be muscular. The V-8 didn't make it a straight-line rocket but did provide care-free hauling and was rated to tow a load of up to 9,000 pounds.

Fuel economy ratings were never terribly competitive, only looking worse as time passed and competitors improved. At the end of its run, the EPA rated the least-efficient setup at 12 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway, while we've saw lower in our own testing.

The Armada has always offered seating for up to eight, with plenty of space for adults to sprawl in the first and second rows. Nissan also offered more than enough storage spaces and cubbies throughout.

While the Armada's interior design was quite attractive and different than those of other trucks, its cabin materials were never that impressive. The plastics used in the instrument panel, doors, and console, in particular, felt a step behind its rivals. Refinement was lacking, too, with a bit more road and wind noise and a gruff, ever-present character to the engine.

Few changes came the Armada's way over the years. In 2008, the big SUV underwent a mild aesthetic refresh, adding some shiny trim outside, some wood inside, and reconfiguring the third-row seats; the large Nissan also got more standard equipment, with the addition of newer navigation and infotainment systems and a heated steering wheel.

Until 2011 the Armada was closely related to the more luxurious Infiniti QX56, though that SUV was built on a different platform and was renamed QX80. For 2015, the Armada received restyled door panels, new 20-inch wheels, and some new paint colors. There was no 2016 model year.

My 4th Armada and my LAST

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Heartbroken does't do justice for my feelings towards this SUV. I will start by saying that i have spent the last 11 years driving an Armada. Started with the 2006 Platinum, it was a lease, at the end of the...
Heartbroken does't do justice for my feelings towards this SUV. I will start by saying that i have spent the last 11 years driving an Armada. Started with the 2006 Platinum, it was a lease, at the end of the lease I loved it so much that I bought one for myself. I bought the 2008 SE and added leather and DVD after market, again, I LOVED this SUV. It drove well, was extremely comfortable and I always felt safe in it. It did have the drivers side power window components go out but I had an aftermarket warranty that worked beautiful. I want to say I had about 45,000 miles when that happened so that was a bit discouraging. I also had the brake box go out on this one which was scary, they covered it even though it was out of warranty because they knew about the issue. Anyway, after driving that one for a few years, I was involved in a roll over accident, where I literally just crawled out the window without a scratch. I was very impressed with the fact that I was not hurt, I was t boned by a Jetta, so It was a little upsetting that a car of that size lifted me up and flipped me upside down, he hit me in just the right spot I suppose. Needless to say it was a total loss, I was bummed because I really wanted to drive that one until the new body style was released. It was December and the dealership had huge sales so I decided to buy a new one, 2014 Platinum. It was a dream... I loved it! However, I was getting bored with the same exact car 3 times in a row with no major changes at all. I did love those adjustable peddles though! It was March 2016 and the word was out that the new body style would be out late summer! For fun I took my car to Texas Direct Auto, at this point it had 22,000 miles and it was in mint condition, they offered me roughly 7k less than I paid for it 27 months earlier!! I was pumped(and dumb) so I sold them the car, drove my sons car and waited for the new one to arrive. I managed to get about 4500 off MSRP but still paid 10k more than my last one. it was beautiful! I was blinded by so many things because I was so excited to have a new car. It took no time at all to realize that this was the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE CAR EVER! the seats are stiff and leave huge gaps of places that literally do not touch you. My back was on fire! front seat, back seat, the whole thing, I have no idea what they did but it was miserable. The also did away with so many features, no more adjustable peddles, third row windows do not open, back glass does not open, bye bye extra cup holders and storage, the DVD goes in the front instead of in the unit, the list goes on and on. I could not drive this car it was causing me so much physical pain. I called the dealership that I bought it from and they kindly offered me 9k less than I paid for it 2 weeks earlier I had put 300 miles on it. I called another dealership and they offered me 11k less. Really? My husband drives a Nissan (his 4th one) and this was my 4th Armada, I was even willing to buy a 2015 from the dealership, the car that has been sitting on the lot 2 years and they wanted to sell it to me for 46,500 aGive me a break. So if you think owning 7 of their cars makes you special, think again! Save your money and buy a car that actually wants you to sit in it instead of repelling you off the seat. I ended up selling it to Texas Direct Auto for 5,500 less than I paid for it. SO glad to be rid of it. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED + More »

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September 16, 2015

2015 Nissan Armada 2WD 4-Door SV

Good price but quality lacking

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I purchased this 2015 Nissan Armada SV 2WD New on 08/13/2015, and these are my impressions thus far. One item of complaint, that really stands out is the overall lack of quality in the assembly of the vehicle...
I purchased this 2015 Nissan Armada SV 2WD New on 08/13/2015, and these are my impressions thus far. One item of complaint, that really stands out is the overall lack of quality in the assembly of the vehicle. From the Armada emblem on the tailgate applied crooked, to the numerous number of large panel gaps in the interior, the quality is appalling. This would be unacceptable on a mid eighties domestic brand, much less a Japanese brand in the second decade of the twentyfirst century. The air conditioning system cannot cope with the heat dealt by a southeast Texas summer. I do feel you get a lot of SUV for your money, given the features included even in the base SV model(which is why I purchased it), however, if you are looking for a more modern vehicle with quality, look elsewhere. + More »